Itineraries to the tourist locations Lazio - Vico Lake Viterbo Rome Lazio

From Villa la Paiola situated in the heart of Lazio is possible to reach the most beautiful tourist locations and Rome in only short amount of time

Relais Villa la Paiola offers a bright lodging surrounded by greenery, where the silence is interrupted only by the sounds of nature. You can immerse yourself in the rich landscape of lake’s valley and forests, walking between the paths of your surroundings, lying in the sunny garden or cool shade of the trees. On the horizon - the landscape as the eye can see. The days of relax in this quiet corner of Tuscia Viterbienne you can combine with itineraries tailored to your taste: the hosts will be pleased to advise and suggest you with available maps and depliant.

Renaissance Villas and Gardens famous around the world

Here are three surprises from the late Renaissance, complete with gardens, fountains, frescoes and sculptures. They form part of a chain of castles and palaces owned by the local feudal nobility: Orsini (Soriano al Cimino and Vasanello), Marescotti - Ruspoli (Vignanello), Farnese (Caprarola, Gradoli, Valentano), Borgia (Civitacastellana, Nepi), Albornoz (Viterbo).

The first appointment – the superb FARNESE PALACE at Caprarola, built in 16th century by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III, as a summer residence.The frescoes decorating the piano nobile are the most beautiful example of the Italian Mannerist school. A magnificent park-garden is located behind the palace. The project of the garden with fountains and labytinth was completed by achitect Vignola in XVI th century. In theese temps was admired also by prince Charles de Galles.

The wealth of water is made by the numerous fountains in the Renaissance Park Villa Lante at Bagnaia.
The Monsters’ Park at Bomarzo – created in XIth Century by family Orsini, is a labyrinth of symbols, where “Ladies and knights” might look for what they wanted and wonder till they got lost.The Park “sacred wood” is popolated with monsters and tortoises, obelisks, nymphaums and giant statues. After Orsini death nobody cared any longer for this jewel of mannerist art, that after centuries of oblivion has been saved, restored and made know by the present owner famiglia Bettini. At the entrance of the “sacred wood “ we find some lines of poet of the 16th century.


One of the enigmatic message:

You that for the world wandered about, desirous,
to see tall and stupendous wonder,
come here, where horrendous faces there are,
elephants, lions, bears, orcas and dragons.

To admire the vegetation of rare secular beauty.

Historic Centres - Cities of Art

The capital of Tuscia is VITERBO.

It has a monumental structure of the most esteemed in the region: aristocratic palaces (dei Priori, the Popes, Farnese, Gatti, Mazzatosta, Chigi), charming and unique medieval villages SAN PELLEGRINO and PIANOSCARANO, cloisters and churches of various epoques, elegant peperino fountains. A well-preserved city walls, dates from the beginning of the Thousand.
Viterbienne University is the most important conquest in Viterbo of the last few decades.
Viterbo boasts one of the most important thermal areas at the national level. The famous thermal baths - Le Terme dei Papi - are recommended for rheumatic arthropathy, after- effects of fractures, bronchial asthma,etc. A large swimming Bulicame pool is used in summer for sport and health treatment.

The city shines with the annual Flower Festival in May. Head of the various cultural institutions, including BAROQUE FESTIVAL. Marvelous Romanesque churches of TUSCANIA (San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore), masterpieces of early Christian. Noteworthy is the old town of Civita di BAGNOREGIO known as the city died. Joined to the mainland by a bridge on Valley of Calanchi. A stone's throw from Lake Vico is the jewel of the Roman Baroque Cathedral SAN MARTINO AL CIMINO, dating back to the Cistercians of Pontigny.
CALCATA – it has become the home of artists from all over the word.

The Etruscans and Archeology

The frescoes decorate the interiors of tombs, celebrate scenes of hunting, fishing, dancing banquets, games, animals, demons and more. Horses, wild beasts and double flute players in honor of the dead.
The images are set in a fresco by unknown hands in the walls of Tombs and Etruscan necropolis of Tarquinia (VI-III sec.aC), as in Vulci, Tuscania, Civita Castellana, Blera and Norchia.
The sepulchral outfits (sarcophagi, vases, bronzes, gold) are deposited in the National Museum of Vitelleschi Palace, including the wonderful terracotta sculpture of the Winged Horses (III sec. BC) that decorated the pediment of the Queen of Ara in Civita of Tarquinia. Sarcophagus of Curunas I can admire a TUSCANIA. Accessible with some caution the NECROPOLIS RUPESTRIAN of Blera, ROMAN THEATER, NORCIA and CASTEL D'ASSO: the excavated tombs in the tuff are often surrounded by thick vegetation. Significant SUTRI with the remains of the Roman theater and the MURA FALERI NOVI, CICLOPE of the town destroyed and abandoned during the Middle Ages.

Handicraft and local cuisine Tuscia Land - Lazio

Nearby Villa La Paiola - to 200 m - is the typical local restaurant with menu at euro 18 per person includes mineral water and wine. Very appreciated are dishes of fettuccine and lasagnas, boletus mushrooms, the lake fish and the white wine of Montefiascone Est!Est!!Est!!!, wine of controlled origin.
The territory’s local cuisine includes traditional and rural recipes more often than not, using locally produced fruits and vegetables.
Particularly exquisite is the “porcino” mushroom, which grow throughout the territory in abundance and are particularly present along the Monte Fogliano slopes. The supreme ruler of the first course choices goes to a type of pasta known as “fieno” or straw, these shreds of fine pasta bring out the succulent favours of its accompanying sauce. Another first course which is often chosen is “l’acqua cotta” or cooked water, which is made by pouring boiled vegetables, olive oil, herbs and spices over slices of stale bread. Other pasta-based dishes include “lombrichelli”, made from a mixture of flour and water, “fettuccine”, “gnocchi al ferro”, “spaghetti with ricotta cheese”, “sutrine” and finally fried pasta with broccoli.
Among the second course dishes on offer are “various meats”, “barbecue pork”, “game”, “rabbit meat” and “freshwater fish”. The desserts always include local fruits and nuts such as chestnuts and hazelnuts: “tozzetti”, made using hazelnuts, or “nociata”, a mixture of honey and toasted nuts baked between laurel leaves. Then again one can choose the “panmielato” made with honey, flour and hazelnuts or the much loved fruit-flans.
Not to be forgotten are Monti Cimino wines, especially if they come from Vignanello, or a bottle of the famous Vetralla olive oil.
Very popular for a lot of visitors from Rome are restaurants in nearby Caprarola and Ronciglione.

Rome

Rome-Majestic, Amazing and Unforgettable. Ideal place for lovers of art, culture and shopping. Rome is in proximity and easy accessible, urges guests of Villa La Paiola to the frequent visits.

HOW TO REACH ROME FROM VILLA LA PAIOLA:
BY CAR: the satellite parking of Saxa Roma is reachable in 50 minutes, thanks to sliding motorway CASSIA VEIENTANA or CASSIA BIS. From Satellite parking Saxa Rubra to the center of Rome – Piazza del Popolo (Flaminio) is recommended the subway.
It reach in only 15 minutes Piazza del Popolo (Flaminio). Then, Rome is at your feet.
The parking cost:euro 1,50 / day. Metro cost euro 1 for 1 hour
Daily ticket cost euro 9.
BY BUS: the good COTRAL public bus services assures regular connection to Rome.
The bus stop is at 100 m from Villa la Paiola.
Cost of ticket euro 3,50 per 1 way. Frequency every 1 hour
BY TRAIN: from stop Viterbo (Porta Romana) the train go directly to Rome to the station St. Peter.

Curiosities Events Folklore

At Viterbo,on the evening of 3rd September, a hundred strong porters carry the “Macchina di Santa Rosa” on their shoulders, through the darkened town streets. It seems a “tower” thirty metres high and weighing over 5.000 kg. Illuminated as it is by over a thousand candles against which the statue of the Saint stands out.



In August, along the main street of Caprarola, there is the solemn procession in honor of the patron Sant'Egidio Abate. The parade of floats folk night ends with tastings of local specialities outdoors.



The most important event of Tuscia is Viterbo in Flowers. The medieval city of Viterbo, the most ancient quarter San Pellegrino holds its fountains, squares and towns is literally covered by flower. Tourists with the task of verifying the beauty of these places.

At Ronciglione the traditional riderless horse race takes place through the historic centre’s crode streets every year, during carnival on February and in August.




At San Martino al Cimino, during the weekends in October the townspeople open the doors of their large tuff cellars to celebrate the chestnuts harvest with toasted chestnuts.